Drilling apparatus



July 13, 1954 s. D. GUNNiNG DRILLING APPARATUS 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 6 1951 0 555135519 E JQQQQQQMYI SAMUEL 0. GUNNING INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 6, 1951 N QE v INVENTOR. SAMUEL D. GUNNING ATTORNEY July 13, 1954 5 D, GUNNlNG 2,683,587

DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 6, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 M I] IO t, {Q1 (D a LL.

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ATTORNEY y 1954 s. D. GUNNING 7 DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 6, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 i x ///I/ V V 1 41/14 FIG? FIG. 5

SAMUEL D. GUNNING IN VEN TOR.

6 ATTORNEY y 1954 s. D. GUNNING 2,683, 87

DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 6, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. l2

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1 o In SAMUEL D. GUNNING IN V EN TOR.

I ATTORNEY July 13, 1954 5, GUNNlNG 2,683,587

DRILLING APPARATUS 8 SheetsSheet 6 Filed Aug. 6 1951 SAMUEL D. GUNNING INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY y 1954 s. D. GUNNING 2,683,587

DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 6, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 FiGBi' F1636 SAMUEL D.GUNN|NG INVENTOR.

BY 6 Z ATTORNEY Patented July 13, 1954 UNITED STATES FA lENT OFFICE DRILLING APPARATUS Application August 6, 1951, Serial No. 240,519

8 Claims.

This invention relates broadly to mining, but more particularly to a rock drilling machine especially designed and constructed for drilling holes upward through the incompetent stratum of a mine roof into an overlying competent one preparatory to the insertion of roof supporting anchor bolts or the like.

One object of this invention is to provide such machine especially suitable for drilling holes in the roof of mines where the headroom is well below mans height.

Another object of this invention is to provide such machine with several rock drilling stopers carried thereby and readily movable to desired drilling positions.

Another object of this invention is to mount two or more rock drilling stopers on a self-propelled support, preferably on caterpillar treads, which can be driven to any desired location.

Still another object of this invention is to equip such apparatus with dust collecting devices working in conjunction with the rock drilling stopers to eliminate no dust normally resulting from drilling.

Other objects and advantages more or less ancillary to the foregoing reside in the specific construction and aggroupment of the elements peculiar to this structure, as will become apparent from a more complete examination of this specification.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a side view or" the machine assembly embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a top view of the machine shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken through line 33 in Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows and showing only one of the stoper supporting carriages.

Figure 4 is side elevational view of the carriage shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional View taken on line 5-5 in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view on line E-S in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional viewtaken on line 3-? in Figure 3.

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view on line S& in Figure 3.

Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional view on line L4? in Figure 3.

Figures l0, ii and 12 are longitudinal sectional diagrammatic sketches of the lifting mechanism and stoper feeding mechanism shown in different positions of operation. v 7

taken taken tasen Figure 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line l3--l3 in Figure 2.

Figure 14 is a top elevational view of the dust collector head shown in Figure 13, and Figure 15 is a side elevational View thereof.

Figure 16 is an enlarged diagrammatic sketch, partly in section, of the rock drilling stoper, its feeding mechanism and the dust collector head elevating mechanism.

Figures 17 to 21 inclusive are enlarged cross sectional views of the throttle valve taken in a plane indicated by line ll-l l in Figure 16, showing the different positions of ports and passages located in that plane.

Figures 22 to 26 inclusive are similar to Figures 17 to 21 but taken in a plane indicated by line Z222 in Figure 16.

Figures 27 to 31 inclusive are also similar to Figures 17 to 21 but taken in a plane indicated by line 2'l2l in Figure 16.

Figures 32 to 36 inclusive are enlarged crosssectional views of the throttle valve taken in a plane indicated by line 3232 in Figure 16, showing the difierent positions of the locking detents.

Referring to the drawings, in which like symbols designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, 50 represents generally a selfpropelled car or ground engaging support equipped withzcaterpillar treads 5!. This car is pref- U erably propelled by an electric motor which can be connected to base plugs located throughout the mine by a long electric cord, not shown. On one of its sides, the car 58 is provided with low seat 52 on which the operator may sit when driving the car about, the control of which is efiected through hand operated levers 53.

As shown, the car 58 is built very low and has a substantially rectangular box-like configuration, the front and central portions of which accommodate the power and driving mechanisms, while its rear portion forms storage compartments for dust separators, which are connected to the drilling mechanism by dust conveying hoses 54.

Rigidly secured to the front end 55 of the car 5% by any suitable connections such as braces 56, and located within a vertical plane parallel to the front end 55 of the car, there is a pair of horizontal but vertically spaced rails 57 and 58, both extending the full width of the car 53. As clearly shown in Figure 4!, the upper rail 51 is made of channel iron with its U-shaped side turned downward, while the lower rail 58 is of rectangular cross section. On these two rails are supported and guided two identical carriages 59, one of which is clearly shown in Figure 3 and comprises a relatively thick plate 60 having welded to its upper end an angle iron like mem ber 6| and to its lower end a substantially rectangular block 62 extending laterally on both sides of the plate but falling short of the ends thereof. Outside of the block 62, the two lower ends of the carriage 59 are identical, one end is clearly shown in Figure 8 and comprises a laterally extending socket 63 forming an integral part of the plate 60. Mounted in this socket, there is a trunnion 64 on which is rotatable a wheel or roller 65 lined with a brass bushing 66. This roller, as well as the roller on the other end of the carriage 59, rests on the rail 56, thereby enabling the entire carriage 59 to be wheeled on the rail 58 transversely of the car or support 50. In order to guide the wheels 65 on the rails 58, there is provided on each end of the block 62, the construction shown in Figure 9, which includes two trunnions 6'! extending vertically through the bar 62 one on each side of the rail 58. Each trunnion is clamped on the bar between a shoulder 68 and nut 69 and on its depending end carries a roller I9 lined with a brass bushing II, and retained on the trunnion by a spring clip 72. With the two rollers I6 engaging opposed sides of the rail 58 and located near both ends of the plate 60, it will be understood that the carriage 59 is prevented from moving laterally relative to the rail 58.

On its upper end, the carriage 59 carries two longitudinally spaced structures, one of which is clearly shown in Figure '7, and includes a trunnion 13 extending vertically through the angle iron member 6!. This trunnion is clamped on the member between a shoulder I4 and nut I5, and on its upper portion carries a roller 76 lined with a brass bushing TI and retained in position by a spring clip '16. The roller I6 is in the channel of the upper rail 51, for engagement with either side thereof, thereby preventing lateral movement of the upper end of the carriage 59 relative to the ground engaging support 50.

The member 6| protrudes beyond the upper left end of the plate 60, as shown in Figure 3, to terminate in a locking device including an upwardly extending tongue I9, integral with the member 6| and engageable with one inner side of the channel iron 5?. Extending through the member 6i below the tongue 19, there is an eyebolt 60 on which is pivotally mounted a cam 8i operable by a lever 82. This cam rests on a shoe 83 which engages the outer side of the channel 51; and upon movement of the cam is forced into frictional clamping engagement therewith to prevent movement of the carriage 59 relative to the car 50.

Formed as. an integral part of the plate 60, there is a relatively large socket 86 which extends on both sides of the plate as clearly shown in Figure 6. In this socket is mounted the trunnion 650i an elevating mechanism about to be described, which trunnion has a shoulder 85 engaging the front end of the socket and a threaded stem 81 adapted to receive a riut 88 and washer 69 engaging the other end of the socket for clamping the trunnion in any desired positions.

Referring to Figure 16 which shows substantially the entire mechanism carried by each of the carriages 59, the trunnion =85 mounted in the plate socket 84 is shown to be an integral part of a primary lifting cylinder 99 and to extend laterally therefrom, thereby enabling the cylinder to be clamped to the carriage 59 in any de- 4 sired positions within a vertical plane parallel to the plate 60. The lower end of the primary lifting cylinder is provided with a central bore 9| in which is slidably mounted a secondary lifting cylinder 92. A piston member 93 is clamped on the carrier end of the cylinder 92 between a shoulder 94 and a retainer 95. From the piston 93 the cylinder 92 extends upwardly in reduced diameter to form an integral tube 96 slidable through a central bore 91 provided in the upper end 98 of the cylinder 90. slidable in the secondary lifting cylinder 92, there is a piston member 99 which is clamped on the lower shoulder end I00 of a lifting rod I01 by a retainer I02. From the piston 99 in the cylinder 92, the lifting rod IOI extends through the upper or outer end I03 of the tube 96 to end in the socket I39 of a dust collector head support I40. To prevent escape of motive fluid through sliding joints such as between the bore 9| and secondary piston 92, bore 91 and tube 96 and upper end I03 of tube 90 and rod I0 I, these joints are adequately packed in a manner well known in devices of this type.

To the lower end of the secondary tube or piston rod like member 92 is rigidly secured by a cross pin I64, one end of a strong cross arm I05 having mounted in the other end portion thereof the lower end of a cylindrical upright I06, which extends vertically from the cross arm in parallel relationship with the elevating mechanism above described. In the arm I05, the lower end of the upright I06 has a partly circular groove I01 extending around it and having fitted therein a portion of a cross pin I08 carried by the cross arm, thereby enabling rotation of the upright on its own axis. The upper end of the upright or piston rod like member I06 is provided with an annular shoulder I09 having a piston member I I0 secured thereon by a retainer III. This piston member is fitted in a slidable feed cylinder II2 which is closed at its upper end by a screw threaded cap H3, and its lower end opened by a central bore II4 through which extends the upright I06.

Alongside of the feed cylinder H2 and. in parallel relationship therewith, there is a rock drill I I5 having its back head H6 rigidly secured to or made an integral part of the lower end of the feed cylinder II2, while the front or upper end portion of the rock drill is similarly secured to the upper end of the feed cylinder by a cross brace I IT. The rock drill I I5 is of the usual fluid actuated percussive type capable of imparting rotation to a drill steel II8 while delivering impacts thereon in rapid succession. It is preferably of the stoper type, but differs from the usual stoper in that it is fed to the work by two different mechanisms mounted alongside of the stoper. Furthermore, since the feed cylinder II2, to which is rigidly secured the rock drill H5, is free to rotate on the axis of the upright I66, it will be understood that the rock drill can be shifted around the axis. This feature is particularly advantageous when changing drill steels having a length greater than the distance between the mine roof and the upper end of the rock drill. In this instance, the shank of the drill steel can simply be lifted from the rock drill front end, and the rock drill shifted aside to enable removal ,of the drill steel. A handle H9 is provided on the rock drill to be grasped by the operator for shifting the rock drill aside or holding it in the desired location when starting a new hole.

Rigidly secured to one side of the primary lifting cylinder 90, there is a valve block I20 in the full length thereof and having motive fluid, I

such as compressed air, admitted therein through a conduit, not shown. In the vertical plane indicated by line III'I in Figure 16, there is a port I24 leading from the throttle valve to the lower end of the primary lifting cylinder 90 via a conduit I25. In that same plane, the throttle valve is provided with an exhaust groove I25 which, in the position shown in Figures 17 and 18, is affording communication of the port I24 with an exhaust passage, not shown. Also in the same plane, there is an inlet groove I26 communicating with the inlet port I23 through a radial port I21.

In the vertical plane indicated by line 22-22 in Figure 16, the valve block has a port I28 leading from the throttle valve I2I to the upper end of the main lifting cylinder through a conduit I29. In this same plane, the throttle valve is provided with two exhaust grooves I29 and I30, which, in the positions of the valve shown in Figures 23, 25 and 26, is affording communication of the port I28 with an exhaust passage, not shown. Also in that same plane, there is a radial inlet port I3I.

In the vertical plane indicated by line 2'I2l in Figure IS, the valve block has a port I32 leading from the throttle va-lve I2I to the lower end of the secondary lifting cylinder 92 through a conduit I 33 and port I34 in the arm H35. In this same plane, the throttle valve is provided with an exhaust groove I35, which, in the positions of the valve shown in Figures 27 and 23. is affording communication of'the port I32 with an exhaust passage, not shown. Also in that same plane, there is an inlet radial port I35.

In the vertical plane indicated by line 3232 in Figure 16, the throttle valve is provided with five V-shaped notches I3! adapted to receive the free end of a spring pressed plunger I38, thereby enabling the throttle valve to be turned in five different positions and held there against accidental rotation.

With reference to Figures 13 to 15, the dust collector head support lit in the socket I39 of which is fitted the upper end of the lifting bar IIII, is provided with two laterally spaced rearwardly extending lugs I iI. the lugs continues through the support to form an opening I52 accommodating a substantially cylindrical supporting member I53, having a lug I II pivotally connected between the lugs I l! by a cross pin I55. member I 55 extends a substantially horizontal tongue I36, engageable by a thumb-screw I5? carried by the support I40. In the supporting member I53, there is a connector I58 having one end extending therefrom for connection with the hose 54, and the other end formed with a substantially cylindrical head I59. This head is relatively short, and has a central bore I55 extending therethrough, a circular chamber I5I opening through the upper end of the head by a plurality of ports I52 and a radial port I53 affording communication of the chamber with the hose 5:5 through a connector passage I5 5. A suction cup I55, preferably made of pliable rubber or the like, is carried by and extends upwardly from the upper end of the head I43 for engagement with the surface of the rock being drilled by the drill steel H8, which extends through the head bore I50.

As previously stated, the rails 51 and 58' sup- The space between From the other end of the I 6 port two carriages 59, each one carrying the entire drilling mechanism shown in Figure 16 and denoted as A and B in Figure 2. Motive fluid actuating these two mechanisms is supplied, from any suitable source, to a pipe I56 carried by the car at back of the operators seat 52. The pipe I56 is controlled by a throttle valve I5! and thereafter is connected to two line lubricators I58 and I59. From the lubricator I58 motive fluid is free to flow to a fitting I60 via a conduit IEI, and therefrom to the rock drill H5 of the carriage B via a flexible conduit I52 and to the throttle valve I2I of the elevating mechanism of carriage A via a flexible conduit IE3. Similarly, from lubricator I59, motive fluid is free to flow to a fitting I64 via a conduit I35, and therefrom to the rock drill II5 of the carriage A via a flexible conduit I63 and to the throttle valve I 2I of the elevating mechanism of carriage B via a flexible conduit I61. As clearly shown in Figure 16, each rock drill H5 is equipped with a throttle valve I68 having a central port I53 to which is connected either the conduit IE2 or I58. From the central port I69, pressure fluid is free to flow into the back head chamber I'III through an annular clearance or groove III, and therefrom to the upper end of the feed cylinder I I2 via a passage I12.

Before reaching the throttle valve I51, the inlet pipe I55 has a branch I'I3 leading therefrom and controlled by a throttle valve I'M. From this last valve, pressure fluid is free to flow to a Venturi tube assembly I15 through a conduit H5, and to another similar assembly I'll through a conduit I18. Each Venturi tube assembly is connected to a primary tank, such as I79, in which ends the dust and chips carrying hose 55. From the primary tanks, the pressure fluid and fine dust are adapted to flow into a secondary tank I36 through adequate conduits, not shown, from where the fluid, after having been properly filtered, is free to exhaust through vents opening under the car 55.

Preparatory to drilling, the car is moved about, by one operator occupying the seat 52 and actuating the levers 53, to a location where roof bolting is contemplated. During this maneuver another operator will care for the fluid conveying hose attached to the pipe I and the electric cord leading from a base plug to the car driving electric motor. When the car is in the desired position, and after both the throttle valves IEI and I'M have been opened, the two operators can proceed with the operation of mechanisms A and B. Since both mechanisms are identical, the operation of only one of them is hereinafter described.

Since the mechanism shown in Figure 16, hereinafter referred to as a drilling apparatus, is actually carried by or suspended from the trunnion 35 mounted in the socket 84, Figure 6, it will be understood that by releasing the nut 83 the drilling apparatus can be swung on the axis of the trunnion 35 for drilling holesany place within a large circle having that trunnion as its center. Therefore, it is to be understood that while the drilling apparatus is preferably used for drilling upward holes, it can also be used for drilling holes in other directions. With the drilling apparatus in the desired angular position and the nut 88 tightened, the operator holding on the handle H9 can move the drilling apparatus through its carriage 5e longitudinally of the rails 51 and 58, that is, transversely of the car 58, until the desiredposition of the rock driil H has been reached. Thereafter the carriage 59 is locked to the rail 51 by manipulating the cam lever 83.

In drilling holes preparatory to roof bolting, the two operators will generally start drilling with the drill carriages 59 located near the ends of the rails 51 and 58, and after the drilling of each hole, the two drill assemblies will be moved step by step toward each other, thereby enabling the drilling of several aligned holes without movement of the car 50.

After the drill steel II8 has been inserted through the dust collector head lit and into the front head of the rock drill II5, the collector suction cup IE5 is brought in contact with the surface of the rock to be drilled by turning the throttle valve I2I in the position shown in Figures 21, 26, 31 and 36, hereafter referred to as positions G-G. In this instance motive fluid from the valve inlet passage I23 is free to flow into passage I32 through valve port I36 (Fig. 31), and therefrom to the bottom of the secondary lifting cylinder 92 through conduit I33 and port I34, thereby exerting pressure on the piston 99 for lifting the rod IIII until the suction cup I contacts the face of the rock as shown in Figure 10, and thereafter maintaining this contact to prevent escape of dust between the rock and the cup. In this GG position of the throttle valve I2I, pressure fluid from the valve passage I23 1s also admitted into passage I24 through valve port I21 and groove I26 (Fig. 21), and therefrom to the lower end of the feed cylinder 98 through the conduit I25, thereby exerting pressure on the piston 93 for elevating the secondary cylinder 92' and tube 95 relative to the primary stationary cylinder 90. Since the secondary cylinder 92 is connected to the upright I06 by the rigid cross arm I05, and the upright carries the feed cylinder H2 and rock drill II5, it will be understood that lifting movement of cylinder 92 is also transmitted to the rock drill H5 and its feeding mechanism until the drill steel IIS contacts the face of the work to be drilled. In the G-G position of the throttle valve I2I, the por tion of cylinder 90 above piston 93 is free to exhaust via conduit I29, valve block passage I28 and groove I39 (Fig. 26) Similarly, the interior of the secondary cylinder 92 above piston 99, and interior of tube 93 is free to exhaust through a port I8I provided through the wall of tube 96 immediately above piston 93. In this position of the throttle valve I2 I, the spring pressed plunger 538 is shown in Figure 36 engaging the first of the five notches I31.

Upon rotation of the rock drill throttle valve to the proper position, pressure fluid is admitted into the rock drill for effecting its operation and delivery of rotation and impacts on the drill steel II8, thereby efiecting the drilling of the hole. Simultaneously, pressure fluid is also admitted into the upper end of the feed cylinder H2, or on the piston III}, through groove III, chamber HI! and passage I72. In practice, the effective lifting area of the piston 93 in the lifting cylinder 90 is made somewhat greater than that of the piston H0 in the feed cylinder H2, thereby causing the rock drill feeding mechanism to remain inefiective as shown in Figure 10, as long as the lifting piston 93 has not reached the end of its stroke. In other words, as the drilling of the hole progresses, the lifting piston 93 imparts lifting motion to the cylinder 92 and tube 96 relative to the cylinder 96 and also the rod I8 I, which now is held stationary by the engagement of the suction cup I55 with the face of the rock. This lifting motion, which results in the feeding motion of the rock drill H5 and its feeding mechanism IIIlI I2, will continue until the piston 93 reaches the end of its upward stroke as shown in Figure 11. Thereafter, the continued pressure on the piston 93 will hold the secondary cylinder 92' and consequently the upright I06 and piston III'I in the elevated position, causing the pressure admitted on the piston IID to lift the cylinder H2 and consequently impart further feeding motion to the rock drill II5 as shown in Figure 12.

When it is necessary to change drill steels, that is, replace a drill steel by a longer one to extend the depth of the drilled hole, the rock drill throttle valve IE8 is rotated to shut off supply of the pressure fluid to the rock drill and simultaneously efiect exhaust of the fluid from the feed cylinder II2 through a throttle valve exhaust port, not shown. In this instance, the previously extended feeding mechanism I III-I I2 will automatically be retracted or collapsed by the weight of the rock drill H5, while the lifting mechanism 93 is still holding the feeding mechanism and rock drill in elevated position. With the collapse of the feeding mechanism, the drill steel I I8 can be removed from the front end of the rock drill, and the drill, which is pivotable on the upright I06, moved aside to enable changes of drill steels.

When it is desired to extend the lifting mechanism 9fi93, that is, to lower the feeding mechanism IIIiI I2 together with the rock drill H5 and the duct collector head I49 from their elevated positions, the throttle valve I2I may be rotated to the positions shown in Figures 17, 22, 27 and 32, hereinafter referred to as the C-C position. In this instance, pressure fluid is admitted in the upper end of the cylinder 96 through conduit I29, valve block port I28, and valve ports I23 and I3I (Fig. 22) thereby exerting pressure on the piston 93 for driving it, together with the cylinder 92 and tube 96, feeding mechanism II Il-II2 and rock drill H5 downwardly into the position substantially shown in Figure 10. In this instance, it will be noticed that from the upper end portion of cylinder 90, pressure fluid is also admitted on the piston 99, through the port I8I, for retracting the rod IOI and consequently the dust collector head assembly from its former elevated position. In this CC position of the throttle valve I2 I, the lower end of the cylinder 99 is free to exhaust through the conduit I25, valve block port I24 and valve groove I25, the latter being connected to an exhaust port, not shown (Fig. 17). Similarly, the lower end of the secondary cylinder 92 is free to exhaust through port 134, conduit I33, valve block port I32 and valve groove I35 which is connected to an exhaust passage, not shown (Fig. 27). In this last position of the throttle valve, the spring pressed plunger I38 is shown engaging the last of the five notches I3! (Fig. 32).

Under certain conditions, such as when repair is necessary it might be advisable to exhaust both ends of the lifting cylinders 98 and 92, or to close them entirely and prevent escape of the pressure fluid previously admitted therein, from escaping therefrom. In the first instance, the throttle valve I2I can be rotated to the position shown in Figures 18, 23, 28 and 33, hereinafter referred to as position D-D, and in the last instance to the position shown in Figures 19, 24, 29 and 34, hereinafter referred to as position EE. In the position D-D, the lower end of cylinder 92 is free to exhaust via conduit I25, port I24 and valve groove I25 (Fig. 18). Similarly the upper end of cylinder 90 is free to exhaust via conduit I29, port I28 and valve groove I29 (Fig. 23) while the lower end of the secondary cylinder 92 is also free to exhaust through port I36, conduit I33, port I32 and valve groove I35 (Fig. 28). In this position of the throttle valve, the spring pressed plunger I33 is shown engaging the fourth of the five notches I31 (Fig. 33). In the throttle valves position E-E, the port I24 which leads to the bottom of cylinder 90 is closed by the throttle valve (Fig. 19). Similarly, the port I28 which leads to the upper end of cylinder 90 through conduit IZ S is also closed by the valve (Fig. 24), and so is the port I32 which leads to the bottom of the secondary cylinder 92 through conduit I33 (Fig. 29). In this last position of the throttle valve, the spring pressed plunger I38 is engaging the third of the five notches I31 (Fig. 34).

Under other conditions of operation, it might be desirable to utilize only the main lifting mechanism 9093 while keeping the secondary lifting mechanism 92-99 inactive. Such condition may arise when the dust collector is not usable either because the face of the rock being drilled is too irregular to afford proper contact of the suction cup I55, or the dust collector mechanism is temporarily out of working order. In such instances, the throttle valve I2I can be positioned as shown in Figs. 20, 25, 30 and 35, hereinafter referred to as position F-F. In this position of the throttle valve, pressure fluid is admitted into the lower end of the cylinder 90 through valve passage I23, ports I21, groove I26, valve block passage I24 and conduit I25 (Fig. 21), thereby exerting pressure on the piston 93 for lifting secondary cylinder 82 and consequently feeding mechanism IIIl--II2 and rock drill H5. In this F-F position of the throttle valve, the upper end of the cylinder 90 as well as the position of cylinder 92 above piston 99, is free to exhaust through conduit I29, valve block passage I28 and valve groove I30, the latter being connected to an exhaust passage, not shown (Fig. 26). In this instance, the valve block port I32 which leads to the bottom of the secondary cylinder 92 through the conduit I33 and port I34, is closed by the throttle I2I (Fig. 30). When the throttle valve is in its FF position, the spring pressed plunger I31 is shown engaging the second of the five notches I31 (Fig. 35).

With reference to Figure 13, it will be understood that through the thumb screw I41 engaging the horizontal tongue I46 of the supporting member I43, it is possible to make small adjustments of the suction cup I55 into perfect engagement with the face of the rock being drilled.

During drilling operations, pressure fluid fiowing through the Venturi tube assemblies I15 and I11 will create suction in each of the chambers I 19, causing the chips and dust falling in the suction cup I55 to be drawn therefrom through the ports I52, chamber II, port I53 and passage I54 into the hose 54 and therefrom in the chamber I19. The two chambers I19 and I80 are constructed and arranged in a manner causing the chips to remain in the chambers I19 and the dust to be carried with the pressure fluid into the chamber I80, where the dust is arrested by adequate filtering devices, and the pressure fluid is free to escape therefrom through vents, not shown.

Although the foregoing description is necessarily of a detailed character, in order to completely set forth the invention, it is to be understood that the specific terminology is not intended to be restrictive or confining and it is to be further understood that various rearrangements of parts and modifications of structural detail may be resorted to Without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as herein claimed.

I claim:

1. A drilling apparatus of the stoper type comprising a fluid actuated lifting mechanism including a stationary cylinder element and a piston member slidable therein, a fluid actuated feeding iechanism including astationary piston member in a slidable cylinder element rotatable on its own axis, a rock drill carried by said slidable cylinder element for slidable movement therewith and angular movement about an axis offset from but parallel with the center axis of said stationary cylinder element, means including ports and passages admitting pressure fiuid to said piston membars for effecting independent operation of said mechanisms, and connecting means between said mechanisms including a rigid arm extending laterally therebetween whereby said feeding mechanism and rock drill are carried and liftable by said lifting mechanism.

2. A drilling apparatus of the stoper type comprising a fluid actuated lifting mechanism including a first cylinder element and a first piston member slidable therein, a fluid actuated feeding mechanism including a second piston member in a second cylinder element slidable and rotatable on its own axis, a rock drill carried by said second cylinder element alongside thereof for slidable movement therewith and rotary movement about its center axis, connecting means between said mechanisms including a rigid arm extending laterally therebetween whereby said feeding mechanism and rock drill are carried and liftable by said lifting mechanism, means including ports and passages admitting pressure fluid to said piston members for effecting independent operation of said mechanisms, the effective area of said first piston being greater than that of said second piston, ground engaging supporting means for said apparatus, and a pivotal connection between said apparatus and supporting means having its pivotal axis perpendicular to the center axes of said mechanisms and rock drill.

3. A drilling apparatus of the stoper type comprising a fluid actuated feeding mechanism including a piston member in a first cylinder element slidable and rotatable on its own axis, a rock drill carried by said cylinder element alongside thereof for slidable and rotary movements therewith, supporting means for said mechanisms and rock drill including a carriage, a fluid actuated lifting mechanism including a second cylinder element fixed to said carriage, a piston member slidable in said second cylinder element, connecting means between said piston members including a rigid arm extending laterally therebetween whereby said feeding mechanism and rock drill are carried by said lifting mechanism and capable of being lifted thereby relative to said carriage, and means including ports and passages admitting pressure fluid to said piston memhere for effecting independent operation of said mechanisms.

4. A drilling apparatus of the stoper type comprising a fluid actuated feeding mechanism including a piston member in a first upright cylinder element slidable and rotatable on its own axis, a rock drill carried by said cylinder element alongside thereof for slidable and rotary movements therewith, supporting means for said mechanism including a carriage, a fluid actuated lifting mechanism including a second upright cylinder element flxed to said carriage, a piston member slidable in said second cylinder element, a piston rod like member for each of said piston members extending through the lower end of its respective cylinder element, a rigid connecting arm between said piston rod like members below said cylinder elements, said first cylinder under certain conditions of operation resting on said arm, and means including ports and passages admitting pressure fluid to said piston members for effecting operation of said lifting mechanism to raise or lower said feeding mechanism and rock drill relative to said carriage and for effecting independent operation of said feeding mechanism to raise or lower said rock drill relative to said lifting mechanism.

5. A drilling apparatus of the stoper type com prising a fluid actuated feeding mechanism including a piston member in a first upright cylinder element which is slidable and rotatable on its own axis, a rock drill carried by said cylinder element alongside thereof for slidable and rotary movements therewith, supporting means for said mechanism and rock drill including a ground engaging support, a carriage carried by said support, rail means between said support and carriage enabling lateral movement of the latter relative to the former, a fluid actuated lifting mechanism including a second upright cylinder element fixed to said carriage having a piston member slidable-therein, connecting means between said piston members including a rigid arm extending laterally therebetween whereby said feeding mechanism and rock drill are carried by said lifting mechanism and capable of being lifted thereby relative to said carriage, each mechanism being actuated by pressure fluid admitted between its respective piston member and cylinder element to effect slidable movement of 4;

one relative to the other, means including ports and passages admitting pressure fluid between said piston members and cylinder elements, and means automatically rendering said feeding mechanism ineffective until said lifting mechanism reaches the end of its lifting stroke.

6. A drilling apparatus of the stoper type according to claim 5, in which a locking device is provided between said carriage and rail means to prevent relative movement therebetween, said device including a shoe carried by said carriage for frictional engagement with said rail means, and cam means operatively associated with said shoe to effect said frictional engagement.

7. A drilling apparatus of the stoper type comprising a fluid actuated lifting mechanism including a stationary primary cylinder element and a piston member slidable therein and having a piston rod like member forming a secondary cylinder element extending through one end of said primary element, a smaller piston member in said secondary element, a dust collector lifting rod carried by said smaller piston, a fluid actuated feeding mechanism including a piston member in a slidable cylinder element, a piston rod like member for said last piston member extending through one end of said slidable cylinder element, a rock drill carried by said slidable cylinder element alongside thereof for slidable move ment therewith, a rigid arm connecting said piston rod like members whereby said feeding mechanism and rock drill are carried and liftable by said lifting mechanism, said mechanisms and ment to effect slidable movement of one relative to the other, and means including ports and paslifting rod being operated when pressure fluid is admitted between their respective piston member and cylinder element to effect slidable movement of one relative to the other, and means including ports and passages admitting pressure fluid between said piston members and their respective cylinder elements.

8. A drilling apparatus of the stoper type comprising a fluid actuated primary lifting mechanism including a primary cylinder element and a piston member slidable therein, a secondary fluid actuated lifting mechanism including a secondary cylinder' 'element and a piston member slidable therein, a dust collector lifting rod carried by said last piston member, a fluid actuated feeding mechanism including a piston member in a slidable cylinder element, a rock drill carried alongside of said slidable cylinder element for slidable movement therewith, said primary and secondary lifting mechanisms having a common axis offset from but parallel with the axis of said feeding mechanism, means including a rigid arm connecting said primary lifting mechanism to said feeding mechanism whereby the latter and rock drill are carried and liftable by the former, said mechanisms being operated when pressure fluid is admitted between their respective piston member and cylinder elesages admitting pressure fluid between said piston members and their respective cylinder elements.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,321,770 Petermann Nov. 11, 1919 1,930,099 Kelley Oct. 10, 1933 2,108,058 Gartin Feb. 15, 1938 2,296,819 Osgood Sept. 22, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 264,639 Germany Sept. 25, 1913 

